Dental Courses in Tamil Nadu

Undergraduate and graduate programs in dentistry are structured and coordinated by the Dental Council nationwide. The admissions are carried out through examinations, statewide and nationwide for government affiliated colleges. Other options include private dental colleges affiliated to the Dental Council and respective university. The professional courses offered in the field of dental sciences include:

Bachelor of dental surgery: This is a four-year program with additional year of internship offering theoretical and practical exposure to most dental disorders and diseases. This undergraduate program is structured to make students practice effectively after their study period in various hospitals.

Master of dental surgery: This is a three-year program of specialization in any particular area of dentistry. Some of the branches include oral surgery, oral pathology, periodontics, orthodontics, pedodontics, implantology, maxillo-facial surgery and prosthodontics.

Prosthodontics: Making artificial teeth.

Periodontics: Treating gum diseases.

Orthodontics: Straightening and alignment of jaws and teeth.

Maxillofacial Surgery: Operating on the jaw and mouth.

Pediatric dentistry: Dealing with children's oral problems.

Endodontics: Cosmetic surgery, fillings and root canals.

Technical courses: These courses are designed by the Dental Council in order to facilitate support system for the procedures that dentists perform. They are similar to the paramedical and allied health courses and are of vital significance in the field of dentistry. Some of the branches that are available are dental technicians where persons study basics of anatomy physiology and some procedures to assist the dentist at work during a surgery or procedure.

Dental hygiene is a fairly recent course in which the trained person helps in creating awareness and facilitating the dental hygiene techniques at the dentist's office. Dental mechanics is also an option for aspiring dental enthusiasts as it involves making of prosthetic dental parts and creating molds for a respective dental model to be implanted or replaced.

Certificate courses in dentistry can be done in Oral implantology, rotary endodontics, dental mechanic and laser.

• Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research University
  
  
• SRM University
  
  
• Thai Moogambigai College of Dental sciences
  
  
• Saveetha Dental College
  
  
• Meenakshi Ammal Dental College
  
  
• Ragas Dental College
  
  
• Venkateshwara Dental College
  
  
• Chennai dental research foundation
  
  
• Tamil Nadu Institute of Dental sciences
  
  

Dental professionals can work in the field of public health as oral pathologists or dental hygienists, dental surgeons or professors. They can work in companies manufacturing dental equipment or products. Dentists are also needed for forensic work.

Other fields of dental expertise are oral medicine and radiology, oral pathology and microbiology, dento-facial orthopedics, preventive dentistry and public health dentistry.